On one sunny Saturday in 1993 a group of us were playing in a fun 5 a side tournament on the all-weather pitch at Fearnville Sports Centre. Chatting between games we discovered that my friends Jeremy Toner, David Sutcliffe and I were all born on the same day of the same month – the 15th August! And when we added up our ages they totaled 100.

So we excitingly organised an eventful 100th birthday party at Steve Turner’s large house and garden in August 1993 inviting all our friends. We had a brilliant evening together!

Today I would like to celebrate the life of my friend Jeremy Toner who sadly passed away in 2021 aged 57.

As I said Jeremy and I shared the same birthday: 15th August.
A few years before Jeremy and I were calculating when could we do a 200th party! Sadly, that now can’t happen!

Jeremy loved his music and was involved in various music groups.

One of his group’s was a church barbershop quartet. He once wrote a song about the deacons in Harehills Lane Baptist Church, for which one verse was jokingly written about me. Jeremy’s parents were born in Ireland and from a Catholic background. Occasionally he would make teasing fun of my Protestant upbringing!

Lyrics attached. It was sung to the tune of Finlandia. Unfortunately, I do not have an audio recording.

I’ve many fond memories to treasure of Jeremy.

For years we served together on both the deacons and treasury teams at Harehills Lane Baptist Church.

For many years as a big Man Utd fan Jeremy would offer me his season ticket when he rarely couldn’t make an OT game. Then all those away from home Man Utd glory years pub gameswe had in The Eagle Tavern.

Not to forget the fantastic evening we spend in David Sims living room watching Man Utd beat Bayern Munich to win the glorious tremble! What a night to remember was that! Chuffed to have spend the biggest game in Man Utd history with my friend Jeremy.

RIP Jeremy. See You in the Kingdom Come.

This story was part of my 65th Birthday celebrations.